Leelanau Conservancy completes Palmer Woods trail system
Photo by Drew Palmer
From staff reports
After eight years of development and more than 42 miles of pathways constructed, the Leelanau Conservancy has completed the multi-use trail network at Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, the Conservancy reported in a press release in early April.
The finished system includes more than 27 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. These pathways are open year-round, guiding hikers, bikers and skiers through the peaks and valleys of this glacially formed landscape.
Palmer Woods, a 1,115-acre Old-Growth Forest, is the Conservancy’s largest property and was acquired in 2016. Trail development began in 2018.
Infrastructure Manager Chad Jordan said the team’s planning and design process included GPS mapping, consultation with biologists, and identifying key “anchors”—specific viewpoints they wanted to lead visitors to.
Jordan said Palmer’s trails were designed to have sustainable grades of 5-7 percent, with wide openings for easier navigation. These design elements create gentle, consistent slopes that reduce erosion, improve water drainage, and minimize long-term maintenance needs.
Becky Hill, Director of Natural Areas and Preserves, said the Palmer Woods trail system has something for everyone.
“You have wide paths for group hikes, narrow meanders to secluded valleys and ridgelines, flowy bike trails that feel like flying, and beautifully groomed ski trails for winter adventure,” Hill said.
Trails range from beginner-friendly options, like the Price Valley Trail, to more remote backcountry paths for experienced hikers. A popular stop along the Price Valley Trail is the Helen and Dan Palmer Fern Garden, where a boardwalk winds through a diverse collection of fern species.
Mountain bikers will find beginner, intermediate, and advanced trail options within Palmer’s hub-and-loop system. This network features primarily flow trails, with some technical rock sections and dirt jump features on more advanced routes.”
Trail design is an art, and I’m proud to work with talented staff and contractors to create experiences that honor the natural landscape—minimizing soil and water impacts, avoiding sensitive habitat, and requiring little long-term maintenance—while opening access to the forests’ most scenic places,” Hill said. “It’s been wonderful watching our vision come to life and seeing visitors find joy here.”
For more information on the Palmer Woods trail system, visit leelanauconservancy.org/explore. New trail signage will debut at the property this spring.
For information on joining the Palmer Trail Crew—a group of trail stewards that meets weekly between Memorial Day and Halloween—visit LeelanauConservancy.org/trail-stewards.
